Charismatic Megaflora!

Robert E. Ulanowicz

Like so many others raised in the snows of winter, I have been fascinated by tropical and subtropical vegetation. Living as I do in zone 7b, the climate is not always conducive to growing what I would like. As I result, I resort to "committing unnatural acts in my backyard", as a priest friend once commented to me. :-)

As with other palm afficanados, the heart of my landscape plantings is the Windmill Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei. I was able to raise 4 specimens to blooming and fruiting, before my 12' pride and joy was killed by the freeze of January, 1994. Fortunately, I now have a second generation of Maryland- bred palms, from which I am selecting the most cold- resistant. (Pictured above is the specimen I raised at my workplace on Solomons Island, MD. Photo Credit: Darwin Weigel)

Two palms which have proved quite hardy here in Southern Maryland are the needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) and the Dwarf Sabal Palm (Sabal minor). Both now produce seeds on a regular basis, but I have had difficulty germinating them to start a new Maryland line. I have not had success in adapting other palms to these climes, including Livistona chinensis, Serenoa repens, Sabal palmetto and Sabal louisiana.

My backyard is home to a number of other southern residents on a year- round basis, such as Passiflora incarnata, Pinus caribaca, Ficus carica, Lycoris radiata, Poncirus trifoliata, Camellia japonica, Punica granatum, Prunus mume and Myrica cerifera.

I also maintain a 2000 sq. ft. vegetable garden in my "spare time".

For more information on cold-hardy palms, see Tom Walters' Webpages, or try navigating your way through The Palms Ring!

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